Wire-stretcher.



J. C. B. WOOD.

WIRE STRETGHER.

APPLICATION rum) JULY 12, 1912.

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPII CO WAAIlINOTO'fl. I). C.

Patented Dec.31,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

JOHN C. B. WOOD, OF LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 CHARLES E. JUSTICE, OF LOGAN, WEST VIRGINIA.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

Application filed July 12, 1912. Serial N0. 709,107.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jenn C. B. WOOD, citizen of the United States, residing at Logan, in the county of Logan and State of l/Vest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVirc-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

forms of fences in which strand wires are employed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed device which may be adjusted to various forms and sizes of fence posts and to change the angulari'ty of the pull imparted to the wire.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereafter shown and described, and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the improved apparatus; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating some modifications in the construction; Fig. 4 is a sectional detail illustrating a modification ing frame preferably constructed partly from gas plping, and arranged to support the pulling mechanism and likewise to support the adjusting devices. The supporting frame comprises main side members or rails 1011, formed preferably of gas piping, and converging toward one end of the frame, and connected to a relatively short bar 12 by elbows 14 at the ends of the bar, the bar 12, forming one end member of the frame. Intermediate their ends the side members 10-11 extend through T-couplings 15-16, and the T-couplings are connected by a branch pipe 17, the branch pipe being spaced a considerable distance from the transverse member 12. The T-couplings are riveted or otherwise secured to the side members 10-1l, as shown. The outer ends of the members 10-11 are pointed, as represented respectively at 2021, for engagement in a post 22 or other suitable support.

The structure thus far described, it will be noted, comprises a very strong and durable supporting frame including converging sides and a transverse connecting member. Adjustably engaged around the frame member 10, is a divided sleeve 23, preferably of resilient metal, so that it engages the frame section with a certain degree of force and is provided with an offset 24 to receive and support a hook member 25 which is adapted to engage around the post 22, the latter being preferably provided with serrations or teeth 26 to increase the grip of the hook upon the post. The hook 25 is rigidly connected in the offset 24 by rivets or other fastening devices 27. The frame member 10 is provided with a plurality of apertures 28 spaced apart and adapted to receive a holding pin 29 which is extended through corresponding apertures in the sleeve 23, and preferably supported in position by a key 30. By employing a plurality of the apertures 28 spaced at short distances apart, the hook 25 may be adjusted relative to the post 22 to adapt the device to posts of varying sizes. By this means the upper side of the frame is firmly coupled to the post and pre vented from displacement therefrom in event of the removal of the strain from the frame, as hereafter explained.

The mechanism for producing the strain upon the strand Wires, is supported from the frame by a novel supporting means which comprises a carrying frame formed with spaced sides 31-32 bent partly around the members 12 and 17 near its ends and coupled by clamp bolts 3334 or other suitable fastening devices. Intermediate its ends the frame portion 31 is directed outwardly as represented at 35, and thence inwardly again at 36 and thence to the member 17, as above described, to form space for receiving the winding apparatus.

Extending through the members 32-35, is a main shaft 42 secured in position by a key 43 or other suitable fastening device, and carrying a gear wheel 44, and a chain or cable winding device. hen a chain is employed as a pulling element a chain wheel 45 is rigidly connected to the shaft near the offset portion 35 of the support, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that a chain represented at 46 will pass to the chain wheel without obstruction from the frame member 17. When a rope is employed as the pulling element, a winding drum, represented at 59, will be substituted for the chain wheel. Passing through the members 3132 is an operating shaft 47 having an operating crank 48 and likewise provided with a pinion 49 engaging with the gear 44. By this simple means it will be obvious that the main gear and the chain Wheel or the winding drum, may be rotated by power applied to the crank. A backing pawl 50 is pivoted at 51 to the frame 17 and engages with the teeth of the gear 44 to prevent retrograde movement of the latter. By this means whatever strain may be secured, is held, as will be obvious.

The portion 32 of the support is extended at one end and a chain-engaging slot 52 is formed in the extension and adapted to receive a chain 53 having a hook 54 at one end for engaging around the post 22. The member 32 is extended beyond the clamp bolts 33 and provided with a slot 55 having forward and rearward extensions to receive the link of a chain, not shown, to enable the device to be coupled to a post at either end, and thus enable the pull to be applied from either end.

By this arrangement it will be obvious that a simply constructed device is produced which is strong and durable and which may be employed for applying strain to strand Wires of a fence or to the panels of fence material, and which may be transported from place to place and quickly applied where required.

The device may be quickly anchored to the post 22 or other support when the strain is to be applied in one direction. When the strain is applied past the post 22, the frame will be drawn toward the post or pushing strains applied thereto, the hooks 2554 be ing employed simply to hold the frame in position and prevent lateral movement, but when the strain is applied in the opposite direction, the hooks and their coupling devices are employed to resist pulling strains upon the frame. Thus it will be obvious that the strain may be applied from either direction without changing the construction or altering the fastening devices whereby connection is made.

The improved device may be constructed of any required strength or size and readily transported from place to place and applied to the post where required. It will be noted that the parts are readily separable for renewal or repairs so that any broken or impaired part may be restored without discarding the remainder of the device.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a device of the class described a support-ing frame including an end member and an intermediate member, plates connected to said end member and intermediate member and having means at their ends for receiving pulling devices, and a winding device carried by said plates.

2. In a device of the class described a supporting frame including side members an end member and an intermediate member connected to the side members plates connected to said end member and intermediate member and having means at their ends for receiving pulling devices, means adapted to couple one of said side members to a stationary support, and a winding device carried by said plates.

3. In a device of the class described a supporting frame including side members an end member and an intermediate member plates embracing said end members and intermediate member, means for connecting said plates together, and with means at the ends for receiving pulling devices, a shaft carrying a winding device and journaled in said plates, and means for actuating said shaft.

4. In a device of the class described a support-ing frame including side members an end member and an intermediate member, plates embracing said end member and intermediate member and with means at the ends for receiving pulling devices, means for connecting said plates together, a shaft carrying a winding device and journaled in said plates, means for actuating said shaft, a sleeve slidable over one of said side members, a hooked member connected to said sleeve and adapted to bear around a stationary support, and means for adjustably coupling said sleeve to said frame member.

5. In a device of the class described a supporting frame including an end member and an intermediate member, plates connected to said end member and intermediate In testimony whereof I affix my signature member and havlng means at the1r ends for in presence oi two wltnesses. reoeivlng pulllng devices, a wlndlng device carried by said plates, a hook adapted to JOHN WVOOD' engage around a stationary support, and a Witnesses:

flexible member connected to said hook and J. B. VVIGK,

adapted to engage with one of said plates. CHAS. PRIDEMORE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

